Chapter 10

***Here is the chapter everyone has been waiting for, I hope it doesn't disappoint. Drum roll please!***

Whilst Richie was battling with the traffic in downtown Middletown Jasmine had showered and had just put on her purple and silver Beatles T-shirt and her dark jeans, tucking her shirt into the waist band. She bent over into her wardrobe to find the pair of silver pumps she knew was in there somewhere, when she heard a knock at the door.

‘Fuck Richie.’ She mumbled, cursing his erratic time keeping. One day he was late, the next, crazily early. She skipped to the door, a towel in hand, and pulled open the door, ready to berate Richie for being early for once.

“So now you’re…” she began to say but the words got stuck in her throat, as she found not Richie, but her father standing in front of her.

The power of speech deserted her even when her father pushed past her and walked into her apartment. She stood frozen with fear and watched him stalk around the room, not once taking his eyes from her.

“How did you get in here?” she squeaked, the words strangling her.

“Someone was coming out as I got here. How’d you think I got in here?” he snapped.

“It was you I saw in town?” she whispered, talking to herself more than to the man in front of her.

“I wasn’t sure if you had or not, but the cops didn’t arrive so I figured you hadn’t. That was a stupid thing you did Jasmine, calling the cops on me. Very stupid.”

The anger rose into Jasmine’s head and she spat, “What the hell did you expect me to do? You turn up at my work, insult and threaten a colleague of mine then slap me so hard that I fell to the ground. What did you think I’d do?”

“Be a good little girl and listen to your father. You never were very good at doing that were you?”

“You know nothing about me, don’t pretend that you do. You left when I was 5.”

“I know that you’re a selfish bitch. I know that you can afford to buy yourself a nice house but can’t help your poor dad out.”

“What are you on about?”

“You told me you couldn’t help me out and now I find you here in New Jersey in this apartment. How did you afford to move north if you couldn’t give me 10 measly grand?”

Jasmine took a step back from her father, who was now standing a foot apart from her. He took a step towards her and she backed up further until her back hit the wall. Her father took another step forward until he was standing so close that she could feel his breath on her skin. He leant into her and rested one hand on the wall beside her head.

“I don’t have anything to give you. I didn’t last time and I don’t this time.” She whispered,

Her father narrowed his eyes and straightened up,

“You’re a damn liar. I KNOW you’ve got the money.”

“I don’t,” she cowered,

“LIAR!” he shouted before raising his hand above his head and slapping it across her cheek. The stinging started immediately and the tears began to fall from her eyes. Jasmine touched the raw skin with her hand and could feel the heat burning where his hand had made contact.

“Don’t you fucking cry, you selfish bitch. Just give me the money and I’ll go,” he growled at her, so close to her ear that the stench of stale alcohol made her stomach churn. 

“I keep telling you, I don’t have the money.”

Another blow fell on her, this time a full fist to the stomach. She doubled up and fell to the floor, clutching her arms protectively around herself. She closed her eyes and hoped that she was dreaming but when she opened them he was standing over her, his eyes dark with rage.

“Get up. Get up.” He commanded, grabbing her arms and pulling her to her feet. She swayed as she got her bearings and stepped away from her father.

“If you don’t have any money then your rich boyfriend does. Yes, daughter dearest I know all about your rich boyfriend and his millions,”

Jasmine stared at him in disbelief,

“What boyfriend? I don’t have a boyfriend. You’re drunk. Just leave now and I won’t call the cops.”

The blow came so fast that Jasmine didn’t see it coming. She felt the kick to her shin, which made her fall. The second kick to her side came as a surprise and her body felt like it was going to explode. She could feel the trickle of blood escape her lip and the metallic taste ran into her mouth. 

“Don’t fucking lie to me Jasmine. I’ve seen you in that Porsche, I’ve seen you go into that big house by the river and the other one just down from here. You can get me the damn money.”

Jasmine closed her eyes; he was talking about Richie and Jon. How the hell had he found her? She thought she had moved far enough away not to be traceable but she had been wrong. She took a deep breath and tried to stand up, holding onto the wall for support.

“They are my bosses. I work for them. Just go. Please?”

“I’ll go when I get my money.”

Jasmine’s temper left her and she yelled back, “What don’t you understand you idiot? I don’t have any fucking money to give you. Get out of my apartment before I call the cops.”

Her father closed in on her, one hand behind his back. He stormed over to her and smashed his fist into the wall behind her, 

“How’re you going to call them without this? You stupid whore.” He said shoving the telephone into her face. He stepped backwards and went towards the kitchen. Jasmine saw her chance to escape and ran for the front door but was stopped by the phone smashing into her back. She felt the blood start to pour from the new wound on her back immediately and her world went fuzzy. She managed to stay standing, clinging to the back of a chair.

‘Richie, where the hell are you?’ she thought, willing him to walk in the door at that moment and save her from the onslaught. He didn’t come.

Her father appeared in the corner of her eye and she moved to avoid him but the most recent blow had her feeling dizzy, and the blows to her legs had made her wobbly; she only moved closer to him. She could smell his breath and heard him breathing heavily as she bumped into him. His hands grasped her arms painfully and his nails dug into her skin. She thought he was keeping her upright but instead he pushed her with such force that she skidded over the floor and came to rest against the table beside the sofa. The table collided with the already raw wound sustained by the phone hitting her back. She couldn’t help but scream out, the pain pulsing through her body was too much to take and she was no longer able to keep the hurt away from her father.

“Arrrrggggghhhhh!” she squealed and held her hands to her head, trying to protect it from any damage. She heard footsteps approaching her then everything went blank.

*************

Richie reached out for the button to call Jasmine’s apartment when the door opened and a man rushed out, pushing past him on his way out.

“Hey!” Richie exclaimed, while reaching for the door. The man didn’t respond and disappeared around the corner of the street. The smell of stale alcohol lingered in the air as Richie pushed open the door and headed up the stairs to Jasmine’s front door.

When he arrived, the door was open and he could hear the faint sound of music coming from the bedroom.

“Jas, sorry I’m late.” He called from the doorway but there was no answer. He took a step into the living room: immediately the hairs on the back of his neck prickled and his heart began to pound in his chest.

Jasmine was lying face down on the floor and the living room was in a terrible mess. The lamp was lying smashed on the floor beside her, the phone lay in the middle of the floor and there was a hole in the wall between the kitchen and the living room.

Richie ran towards Jasmine and checked for a pulse, sighing with relief when he felt a strong heart beat. 

“Jas, Jas, speak to me darlin’ Jas.” He called her name but didn’t get an answer. His heart beat faster and his head was swimming with questions. He brushed a piece of Jasmine’s hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear, feeling the stickiness of the curdling blood underneath his fingers.

“Jas, sweetie, wake up. It’s Richie,” he whispered into her ear. He felt her move and heard a groan.

“Jas, sweetie, it’s Richie. Everything is gonna be ok. I promise. Can you sit up?”

Jasmine nodded weakly and pulled herself up, holding onto Richie’s jacket until she was sitting. Her head was spinning and it took her a few moments to get her bearings. The world stilled then the tears started. Richie held her shaking body, wiping her tears with his sleeve.

“Honey, we have to get you to the hospital. You’re hurt pretty bad.” He said, reaching for the box of tissues that had landed next to the broken lamp.

“No.” Jasmine croaked through her tears.

“What do you mean, no? You’re hurt and you need to see a doctor. We need to call the cops too.” Richie replied, holding a tissue to a cut on her head.

Jasmine found the strength in her voice to say, “No hospital, no cops, just get me out of here. I don’t want to be here. Please Richie.” She pleaded, burying her head in his chest.

Richie didn’t know what to do for the best. He knew she needed to see a doctor and he knew the police should be called, but the sight of Jasmine, broken and in his arms begging him not to call them pulled at his heart strings. He needed help, he couldn’t do this by himself, hell he was barely holding himself together at the sight that confronted him. 

“Jas. Listen darlin’, I promise, no cops and no hospital, but I have to call Jon. I need him here.”

“Why?” Jasmine asked, barely audible,

“Because I can’t do this on my own darlin’. I’m not letting you out of my sight but we need some medical supplies.”

“No hospitals.” She repeated,

“No, no hospitals but Jon can call the band doctor. He’ll ask no questions. No cops either, if that’s what you want.”

“I want. Get me out of here Rich, please. I need to get out of here”

Richie called Jon and explained the situation. He could hear that Jon was angry beyond belief and was ready for a fight, but he had promised to do as Richie asked and told him to hang tight and he’d meet Richie back at his house. 

Richie cleaned Jasmine up as best as he could without hurting her or letting her out of his arms. He stroked her hair and kissed her gently on her head, whispering words of comfort to her. Jasmine clung onto him as if her life depended on it. Even though she felt safe, cocooned and protected by the strong arms around her, she had the overwhelming need to get out of the room that had become her living nightmare.

“Jas, what happened here honey? It looks like armafuckinggeddon in here,” Richie asked.

“I don’t want to talk about it. Just get me out of here. Please?”

Richie nodded and carried her to the sofa. He laid her down gently and whispered, 

“Stay here sweetie, I’m going to pack you some things then we’ll be off. I promise. I’ll be no longer than 5 minutes. Is there anything you need?”

“Just to get out of here. Please hurry.”

Jasmine laid on her sofa listening to the hushed tones coming from her bedroom. She had heard Richie’s cell ring and assumed it was Jon. She knew they were talking about her and wanted to know what they were saying, but didn’t have the strength to walk to where Richie was to listen in on the conversation. The thought of Richie rifling through her underwear drawer and her clothes was terrifying, however she was touched that he cared enough to do this for her. He packed quickly, worried that her father would reappear, and was ready to leave within 5 minutes.

“Where are your keys, sweetie?” Richie asked Jasmine, leaving a kiss on her forehead.

“Kitchen.”

He fetched the keys, grabbed her purse and phone and was back with her, ready to leave. He swung Jasmine’s belongings onto his shoulder then bent down to Jasmine, threading one arm under her knees and another around her back,

“Here we go darlin’, hold on tight.” He said as he lifted her clear off the sofa and towards the car. She lifted her arms tentatively and placed them around his neck gently. She rested her head on his chest and breathed deeply, glad to be out of her apartment.

They got to Richie’s and he laid her gently on the sofa. Jon had been waiting for them when they arrived, and he followed Richie into the living room with her things. 

“Stay with her while I go get some stuff,” Richie told Jon.

He wasn’t more than five minutes and returned with everything he thought he would need for the night; movies, food, drinks and his guitar. Jasmine smiled at the sight of him, arms laden down and a scared look in his eyes.

When the doctor arrived Jon was again left in charge of Jasmine whilst Richie let him in and explained what he knew had happened. 

The doctor shooed Jon and Richie out of the room while he examined Jasmine. He dressed her wounds and gave her some pain killers,

“Jasmine, I’d feel much better if you went to the hospital to check for head injuries.”

She shook her head, “No hospitals. I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine Miss Moore, but seeing as you won’t go to the hospital, I’m insisting you stay here with Richie for at least a week. You must not be left on your own. If you get any headaches or things go dizzy, I’m afraid you will have to go to the hospital. No questions. Got it?”

Jasmine groaned in agreement then closed her eyes to signal she was done talking. The doctor left the tablets on the table then went to find Richie. Jon once again standing vigil by Jasmine.

After talking with the doctor and thanking him for making a house call Richie joined Jasmine and Jon in the living room. The tablets had worked quickly and Jasmine was already asleep. Richie looked at Jon and then back at Jasmine, not quite comprehending what had happened.

Jon stayed for an hour until he was satisfied that Jasmine was ok, and that Richie had gotten over the shock of finding her the way he did.

“Take the week off man, do not let her out of your sight. I’ll let the others know what has happened and we’ll take a week’s break.”

Richie nodded appreciatively, there was no way he was letting Jasmine out of his sight for the foreseeable future. Finding her lying in a crumpled heap had brought out the protector in him and had made his mind up for him that he was going to tell her how he felt about her, she could have died and she would never have known how much he felt for her. ‘Life’s too short,’ he thought, ‘I’m going to tell her’.

He made himself comfortable on the sofa, leaning against the armrest. He maneuvered Jasmine so that he had his arms around her and she was leaning into him. He rested his chin on her head and stroked his fingers through her hair. Jasmine briefly woke then closed her eyes and focused on the relaxing movements of Richie’s fingers; they calmed her and took away the violent flashbacks she was having from her father’s attack. They watched a couple of movies and chatted a little but mostly they just were. Sitting in silence, both with their own thoughts but feeling comforted by their isolation from the world. Richie looked down at Jasmine, who was lying on her side, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. Despite what she had been through she had a contented smile on her face and her breathing was even. Her eyes were fixed on the screen but they didn’t look as if they were taking in what was happening. Richie was still none the wiser about what had happened at the apartment and noticing Jasmine wasn’t paying attention to the movie, he decided to gently try and find out.

“Jas? What exactly happened today?”

She didn’t answer but did look at him.

“You don’t have to tell me but I’d like to know so that I can look after you properly. What happened?”

“I wasn’t seeing things.”

“Huh?”

“I did see my dad in town the other day. He’s been watching me.” Jasmine’s eyes were fixed to the floor and she bit her lip in an attempt not to start crying.

“Huh?” Richie said again, knowing how clueless he sounded.

“He found me. Came asking for money. Didn’t believe me so he did this.” She gestured to herself and looked down at her battered body. She took a deep breath but it got stuck in her throat.

“He thinks you’re my boyfriend, well, you or Jon, probably both, knowing how his sick mind works. He’s not sure. I told him I work for you both but I don’t think he believes me. He’s been watching me Rich.” Jasmine couldn’t keep control of herself any longer and the tears flowed from her blacked eyes, her shoulders shaking. She brought her hands to her face and tried to hide the tears from Richie, but he was observant and had already noticed. He pulled her closer and hugged her as tightly as she could cope with. He held her as she sobbed, stroking her hair and placing soft kisses onto her head. When she had calmed down a little he moved so he could see her face.

“Fuck. How did he find you?” he asked trying to sound calm but inside he was raging. The only way to stop his hands from fisting was to keep them busy stroking Jasmine’s hair.

“Don’t know.” She said, her breath getting caught in her throat again but this time the flood of tears stayed away, only a few rogue ones getting through to streak down her cheeks.

“He’s been watching us? Fuck Jasmine, you can’t go back there. You’re staying with me for as long as you need to. Then we’ll find you somewhere he can’t get to you.”

Jasmine looked at Richie and saw the concern written all over his face. She was hurting all over but somehow looking into his eyes took all the pain away and replaced it with a sense of tranquility. She smiled weakly at him and pulled her arms tighter around him. She buried her head into his chest and breathed him in; she couldn’t think of another smell that had ever had such an effect on her. Closing her eyes she tried to clear her head of the images of her father and replace them with happy memories of Richie and the time they had spent together. Before she knew it she was crying again, not sobbing like previously but hiccuping quietly as she battled to compose herself.

Richie reached over to Jasmine and tucked her hair behind her ears, then traced the exposed skin with the tip of his thumb all the way down to her chin. He rubbed his thumb lightly over her lips, which parted involuntarily, and he felt her intake of breath. 

“Hey, no more of that huh? You’re safe and I’m never letting anyone hurt you again.”

He returned his thumb to her chin and gently tilted it upwards until she was looking straight at him. His smile told her all she needed to know and gave her a spilt second’s warning before he bent down slightly and pressed his lips to hers. Jasmine’s breath shuddered and her cheeks burned as they kissed softly. Richie shuffled lower down so he was closer to her and she didn’t have to stretch. Jasmine moved her fragile body so that she was pressed further into him. She winced as she moved but once settled let out a quiet moan of satisfaction. Richie’s lips were even softer than she had imagined, like they were wrapped in silk, and as they moved against her own the thought crossed her mind of what they would feel like on other parts of her. 

Richie was in heaven, he’d wanted to kiss Jasmine since the moment they met but had managed to hold himself in check. Seeing her lying crumpled on the floor after her bastard of a father had taken his anger out on her, he was consumed with a feeling, a need, to protect her from harm and he had come to realize that it wasn’t just a friendship he wanted or needed from her, he wanted so much more than that. Jasmine shifted again and winced a second time; this time Richie saw it and stopped the kiss immediately.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t think. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“Yes, you should have,” Jasmine whispered and pulled him back down until their lips met again. He kissed her tenderly and with one of his fingers gently traced the outline of a bruise on her arm. She flinched briefly and Richie felt sick to the stomach, a mixture of anger towards her father and a deep rooted need to show her that not all men were monsters. He wanted to show her that they…he…was capable of loving someone and not hurting them. The kiss lingered on and Jasmine wound her fingers into Richie’s hair, fiddling with a few strands and losing herself in him. He saw her eyes close tightly and felt her breath slow down but deepen on every intake. He pulled away from her and took her face in his hands. Looking straight into her eyes he spoke so quietly that she barely heard him,

“Let me ease the pain and love you tonight?” he asked.